The Bangladesh Navy rescued 20 fishermen from a fishing boat that was left drifting in the Bay of Bengal after its engine became inoperative, officials said on Friday.
During a routine patrol early Friday morning, the naval vessel BNS Surma received an emergency radio message around 6:00 AM reporting that a fishing boat was drifting in the sea near Kutubdia after its engine had failed.
Upon receiving the alert, BNS Surma immediately proceeded to the location and successfully rescued the distressed fishing boat along with all 20 fishermen on board.
The rescued fishermen were provided with first aid and supplied with necessary food items.
According to the fishermen, they had departed from Chattogram on January 19 to fish in the Bay of Bengal.
In the early hours of January 28, at around 4:00 AM, 10 to 12 miscreants attacked their fishing boat using another vessel, threatening them with locally made weapons.
The attackers reportedly held the fishermen hostage, looted the catch, four drums of diesel, gas cylinders and personal belongings and deliberately disabled the boat’s engine before fleeing the scene.
The rescued boat and its crew were later escorted to safety.
SH
